A method of singulating a wafer includes providing a wafer having a plurality of die formed as part of the wafer and separated from each other by spaces, wherein the wafer has first and second opposing major surfaces, and wherein a layer of material is formed along the second major surface. The method includes placing the wafer onto a carrier substrate. The method includes singulating the wafer through the spaces to form singulation lines after the placing the wafer on the carrier substrate, wherein singulating comprises stopping in proximity to the layer of material. The method includes applying a pressure to the entire wafer thereby separating the layer of material in the singulation lines, wherein applying the pressure comprises using a fluid. The method provide a way to batch separate layers of material disposed on wafers after singulating the wafers.

Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

A separation unit is provided for separating a web material having a web width along preformed lines of weakness. The separation unit includes at least a first shaft extending along a first longitudinal axis and at least a second shaft extending along a second longitudinal axis in parallel with the first shaft. The separation unit also includes at least one first protrusion element extending perpendicularly from the first shaft and being arranged to be rotatable about the first longitudinal axis, and at least one second protrusion element extending perpendicularly from the second shaft and being arranged to be rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The separation unit further includes at least one contact element being arranged in biased abutment against at least one of the first and second protrusion elements in a direction perpendicular to the first or second longitudinal axis.

A splitting apparatus for an LCD panel and a splitting method thereof are described. The LCD panel has a first substrate and a second substrate. The splitting apparatus includes a first splitting device and a second splitting device disposed correspondingly to the first splitting device, and the second splitting device includes protrusion adjustment devices. The protrusion adjustment device extrudes the second substrate for forming a protrusion corresponding to a split line to separate a split plate from the first substrate by a deformation portion of the protrusion and to remove the split plate by the first splitting device. The splitting apparatus makes a rapid separation of the split plate.

Tape cutting inserts suitable for cutting tape strips from a tape roll having a spool, a pair of spaced-apart spool flanges on the spool, a spool opening in the spool and opening through the pair of spool flanges, respectively, and tape wound on the spool between the pair of spool flanges. An illustrative embodiment of the tape cutting insert may include an insert panel having an inner panel surface, an outer panel surface opposite the inner panel surface, a cutting edge extending between the inner panel surface and the outer panel surface and a pair of elongated, parallel, spaced-apart flange receiving slots extending through the insert panel from the inner panel surface to the outer panel surface. In a stowage configuration of the insert panel, the insert panel may be configured to releasably engage the spool at the spool opening. In a functional, tape cutting configuration of the insert panel, the pair of flange receiving slots may be configured to accommodate the pair of spool flanges, respectively, on the spool. Tape cutting insert and tape roll combinations are also disclosed.

A method for processing fracture surfaces of a ductile metal component by processing fracture surfaces (51a and 52a) of fracture components (51 and 52) into which the ductile metal component (50) is divided by fracturing the ductile metal component (50) in a fracture direction includes: a holding step of holding the fracture components in a state in which the fracture surfaces of the fracture components are separated from each other; a vibration step of imparting predetermined vibration to at least either one of the fracture components being held in the holding step in a direction intersecting the fracture direction; a pressing step of pressing the fracture surfaces of the fracture components against each other by a specified pressing force in a state in which the vibration is imparted by the vibration step; and a separation step of separating the fracture surfaces of the fracture components from each other after the pressing step in the state in which the vibration is imparted by the vibration step.

A material dispenser having a dispensing member configured to dispense a line of the material along a path in a downstream direction, and a cutting member having a cutting edge extending generally downstream with respect to the path. The cutting member having a convex shape across the path, such that the cutting edge engages and sequentially initiates cuts through the line of material when the line of material is pulled against the cutting member, thereby minimize cutting forces.

A material dispenser having a dispensing member configured to dispense a line of the material along a path in a downstream direction, and a cutting member having a cutting edge extending generally downstream with respect to the path. The cutting member having a convex shape across the path, such that the cutting edge engages and sequentially initiates cuts through the line of material when the line of material is pulled against the cutting member, thereby minimize cutting forces.

An electronic dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material. A control circuit in the housing receives a plurality of signals and controls dispensing of the sheet material from the housing. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of sheet material by the user. A pivotally mounted pawl member is located proximate to the tear bar such that movement of sheet material into the tear bar for severance pivots the pawl member from a first position to a second position. A signal means associated with the pawl member is located such that movement of the pawl member to the second position causes the signal means to send a signal to notify the control circuit that the sheet material has been removed. The dispensing mechanism is operative in a first mode to be responsive to a signal from a proximity sensor to dispense a sheet of material, and is operative in a second mode to dispense a next sheet in response to the signal means being activated by movement of the pawl member to the second position in response to dispensed sheet material being removed from the dispenser.